NNC Region VII encourages LGUs to invest in nutrition of pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent females

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8 and National Women’s Month in March, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region VII is encouraging local government units in Central Visayas to invest in the health and nutrition of pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent females through nutrition-specific activities aligned with 2023–2028 Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).

NNC Region VII suggested various activities, including a package of counseling services on proper nutrition and family health for pregnant and lactating women to encourage them to avail of maternal health services; supplementary feeding for pregnant women; capacity building for adolescent girls; and income-generating livelihood programs. 

The agency also recommended monthly cooking demonstrations; formation of support groups for health behavior promotion; group exercises anchored on a healthy weight loss program; nutrition and sex education; and creation and maintenance of community food gardens. 

“These activities support the consumption of nutrient-dense food, adoption of healthy habits, and promotion of quality nutrition and related services, while being sustained through good governance and enabling policy environments,” Dr. Parolita A. Mission, NNC Region VII Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator.

She said that, if done consistently, such activities could contribute in a significant way to PPAN’s desired vision of change, which is the reduction of all forms of malnutrition across all life stages. She added that they also help address the prevalence of nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, anemia among pregnant women and women of reproductive age, and overweight adolescents in the country.

PPAN is the framework for action and guide for the government’s commitment to addressing food and nutrition security challenges in the country. It includes the nutrition challenges and interventions for each life stage such as pregnant and lactating women and adolescents.

Dr. Mission also pointed out that institutionalizing nutrition-specific activities for women manifest 2024 theme of International Women’s Day, “Invest in women: Accelerate Progress,” as well as the theme of 2024 National Women’s Month, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas; Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, patutunayan!” 

“When local government units invest in the health and nutrition of women, they are harnessing the full potentials of women for the benefit of their overall well-being while contributing to the development of a healthy Filipino nation,” said Dr. Mission. // PR by NNC Region VII, with MIND 7